Being a caregiver to chimpanzees is a great job, in my humble opinion. There are so many challenges that come with the job, but there are also the same if not more amount of rewards. You also see chimpanzees in a new light. Before moving up to Central Washington, I had studied chimpanzees for a couple of years. The studies, however, consisted of me helping to analyze data that was coming in from the field researchers. To learn about chimpanzees in a classroom setting is one thing, but working with them up close is another. To see everything you have read about in the flesh is like fitting the missing piece to the puzzle. The picture becomes clear. The intelligence, the emotions, the tenderness, the strength, and yes, the chaos. Everything about these beings changes. You see them in a whole new light.
Working with these individuals, you cannot help but wanting to know everything about them. That’s when the sadness kicks in. Reading about what they went through for decades is truly heartbreaking. The kicker is knowing the can never be truly free for various reasons. One example is chimpanzees are very territorial beings. They do not take kindly to strangers. The instinct for them in the wild is to kill any intruders into their home range, minus age appropriate females to diversify the genetic pool. Another example is everything a chimpanzee knows to do in the wild is passed onto them from their mothers and other elders in their community through observational learning. This includes things such as what to eat, how to get it and eat it, how to socialize and show respect to those higher in the hierarchy. Chimpanzees used in the biomedical labs, the entertainment industry, and those kept as pets are taken away from their mothers very early in their life. Sometimes after a few short hours. So they miss all these important life skills that they should know if they were in the wild.
One downfall is as a caregiver, the algorithms on social media tend to veer you toward animal related content. On paper, this would be great. The more exposure you can get, the more people will join in appreciating and help conservation efforts to save them. However, the reality is caregiver’s social media algorithms tend to only show the user what is popular. In the case of chimpanzees and other primates, these videos are the ones with them dressed up, doing tricks, playing with dogs or tiger cubs or guests. These are the videos that things like the exotic pet trade or entertainment. I will give props to the entertainment industry, which is trying to use CGI effects in lieu actual animals of late. Some studios are still falling behind that curve though. The more there is a want for chimpanzees to star in film, interact with guests at roadside zoos, or be kept as a pet, the more atrocious means are used to acquire infant chimpanzees.
Chimpanzees are a protected species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This means chimpanzees in the wild are protected from being captured, killed, or traded. Or they should be protected from being captured, killed, and traded. Despite their CITES protection, chimpanzees are still being sought after as pets and props. Poachers almost exclusively target infants since they are smaller, a blank canvas in terms of training, and cute. In order to obtain an infant, poachers usually have to kill any adult in the area. Eight to ten adult chimpanzees are killed as they try to protect their family. Lwiro Primates Rehabilitation Center just posted a story on their Instagram account that is saddening and sickening, of an infant they rescued from poachers who still had his mother’s blood and hair clenched in his hands.
It can be hard to believe, but though most states ban the owning of primates (to some degree), there are still some where it is permissible. I personally believe all states should ban any primate from being a household pet. There are a plethora of reasons why. Besides the ethical reasoning due to the circumstances mentioned above, primates are notoriously difficult to keep. They need socialization with others of their kind. They are expensive. They need room. They are messy. They are violent. And they are strong. Most of these traits show up around the time they reach adolescence. This is why if you see these posts with chimpanzees, you are more than likely only going to see them in a certain age range. By the time they reach adulthood, they are no longer “manageable,” they lose their little white tuft on their back ends, and their skin tone changes dramatically, and they become nonprofitable in both the entertainment industry and pet trade.
There are many stories out there of events where a pet chimpanzee escaped from their cage and caused damage to property and/or leaving their keeper mutilated. In either case, the chimpanzee is usually the one that suffers in the end. Though the chimpanzees in our care do indeed live in enclosures, the lives of chimpanzees in accredited facilities are the best that they can get and that we can offer. We do everything in our power to make their lives as comfortable as possible and advocating for the end of these industry and trade practices. We never go into the enclosures with them and limit our physical contact. You know I love Burrito and would do anything for him (and everyone else of course), but I would never want to get into the same space as him. Burrito is goofy, charming, and playful, but he also can cause trouble, be destructive, and is incredibly strong. It would be highly irresponsible of me to do so. If I ever did and something bad happened, it would be him who suffers for my reckless decision. Essentially, he would be punished for being himself.
To help raise awareness, there are many things you can do. You can support an accredited sanctuary through donations and volunteer work. If you see a post on social media or anywhere really of a chimpanzee in an unnatural situation, you can help educate and inform by redirecting them to resources that explains why. You can also support any legislation being voted on by you government representative, both state and federal. Every so ofter a bill is proposed for the advocacy of chimpanzees and other primates and wild animals.
For Advocacy. For Conservation. For Chimpanzees.
Here are some photos from around the sanctuary!
Burrito on top of one of the stumps at the top of Young’s Hill
Missy and Jamie enjoying their breakfast in one of the windows of their Greenhouse
Missy!
Jamie enjoying a browse of goat’s beard dandelions
Negra also enjoyed the dandelions
Burrito, on the other hand, getting into my shots of Negra to make me stop taking pictures and play instead
The strawberry bed between Young’s Hill and The Bray beginning to produce berries
Beautiful, sweet Lucky!
Nancy Duryea says
Thank you Chad for this excellent blog. Thank you again for the work you all do to care for the 15 beautiful residents of the sanctuary.
Linda C says
M6 instinct was to say, “no, there’s 16”. :sleepy:
Mark B. says
Sobering words but most definitely needed lest we forget that so many chimpanzees still suffer.
Karen says
I can hear your anger Chad.
As an Australian it never ceases to amaze me of the animals Americans are permitted to keep as pets, it seems basically anything you want. Leaving out U.S. native animals, seeing African animals such as chimpanzees and lions being kept as legal pets is astounding. I just cant understand how this begun or was even ever allowed.
Francoise Vulpe says
I find that one easy thing to do is to talk about it when the opportunity presents itself. I was out shopping with my 7 yr old niece for a birthday card when she giggled at a greeting card with a photo of a grinning baby chimpanzee (we know it’s a fear grimace). I used the moment as an opportunity to educate — but without being didactic and patronizing, just telling the story. I explained how that “smile” got there and she was rightly dismayed. I don’t know what the long-range outcome will be but I do know that the next time she sees something she’ll know the truth behind it, and maybe tell her parents, a sibling or friend. Who knows where it will lead. Start young, I hear.
Before we left, we gleefully hid the offending cards in the back. I should have bought them all.
CeeCee says
Thank you Chad, it should be a law that in order to see/ use a cute baby Chimp in any form of entertainment, you first have to witness the brutal murder of that Chimps family. Then see if you still find it worthwhile.
Linda C says
And starring in the first photo…Annie’s hand!
I can’t tell you the number of hours I’ve spent in the comments both defending their sweeter side while recognizing their volatility and strength, and informing people that just because the grounds at a place look nice, and the chimps are digging that Chipotle, it’s not a “sanctuary”. That it can’t be a coincidence that there just happen to be several “bad” tiger mums every 6 months when cubs are needed for petting, (or 2 “bad” chimp mums every 9 years). or why that little guy who seems excited to see the handlers who raised him visit the zoo where he lives does NOT have the best life, since he’sthe only chimp there. Or asking where that orangutan that no one has seen in years went to. And explaining that those chimps who have been castrated and had their incisors removed to keep them “manageable” longer won’t have a sanctuary to go to when they’re older, because sanctuaries are full and they haven’t the proper chimp social skills. Sadly, some channels such as The Dodo, which mean well, don’t always investigate before they promote such videos.
The links to telling articles and resources are in my phone’s clipboard :laughing:. “Dr Jane Goodall condemns viral video” is a good one, since she has name recognition and authority.
I have seen my comments erased as they sanitize their comment section, and been threatened by “that pretty lady” herself (or one of her wrestler friends), bc I wouldn’t stop.:smile: I’ve been blocked, as well.
I’ve noticed another place on the rise, but am not on TikTok–I only see the ads. I hear that people have requested her content be removed from promotion on TikTok, but they still advertise her TT content on YT.
One good thing is that the same algorithm that brought me that stuff….probably also brought me to a video where a chimp likes to play and hold her dolls, where her friends like to wear scarves and occasionally a tutu or boots, play together, munch fresh foods, bounce on Kongs, race tractors, experience some well-deserved peace.
Hopefully that particular place will see some changes after June/July. I’ve got the champagne chilling.
Liz Brown says
what a beautifully written post. it brought tears to my eyes just thinking of the horrors of what chimps have endured. thank yiu all so much for yiur dedication to helpimg these beautiful creatures live out the rest of their lives in the best way possible under the circumstances. it also reminds me od how in so many instances, we humans are so short sighted and selfish.
Rebecca Babcock says
Thank You for continuing to educate us with a sobering, comprehensive view of chimpanzee “ownership.” I think this is one of the most important ways you serve all chimpanzees, not just those in sanctuaries. I hope to be able to share with others, especially children, a broader understanding of this wild species and the respect and care we owe them. I adore the beautiful posts with pictures of all the animals you shelter at CSNW but this one is just so “Bigger Picture,” in terms of changing human attitudes and behavior. Very needed, very much appreciated.
Kathleen says
Hi Chad, you can’t see me but I am applauding and giving you a standing ovation right now. You may be preaching to the choir here, but your message needs to be spoken loud and clear, over and over, until the mistreatment, or should I say inhumane cruelty, towards chimpanzees and other primates and wild animals ceases for good. This will include creating strict laws and incentives to enrich the quality of livelihoods of those who poach/transport young chimpanzees, so they no longer are choose murderous crimes as their source of income. In Africa, habit destruction and the illegal ape meat trade alone are driving chimpanzees rapidly towards extinction. It is disturbing and disheartening.
Thankfully, there are organizations such as PASA Accredited Sanctuaries in Africa, who are “a uniting force to protect Africa’s primates, empower local communities, and preserve habitat.” And we have many organizations in the United States that will assist individuals to take direct action to support creating laws and improving situations for primates and wild animals held captive here.
Taking action, using our voices, is vitally important. If you live near a petting zoo, go beyond just not supporting it. Contact your local and state representatives, call them, write them, start your own petition, stay on top of law makers and let them understand why these type of places need to be shut down. (If you Google the topic, there are many reputable organizations that will help you write such a letter and share scripts so you can have talking points to make a phone call.) You can also connect with organizations (PETA, Animal Defenders International USA) that can help you photograph what you see at circuses and roadside zoos so they can use your photos/videos to fight their law cases or to present to government inspectors as evidence as to why such places should be shut down. In other words, you will be a spy for the good guy! Also, write a piece to your local newspapers. And don’t forget to vote for those who have a strong record in supporting animal welfare concerns (the Humane Society Legislative Fund shares a list every year of government officials and how they vote on animal welfare issues, check it out) Please note, not one of these options has a thing to do with social media. Never doubt the power of the good old fashioned activism.
As we all know, change doesn’t occur overnight, it moves painfully slow, but when we all take action together as a group, we will, hopefully, create positive change faster.
Lastly, I want to thank you, Chad, for the courage to write this post. While we supporters appreciate you sharing your honesty and concerns, I know posts like this one are not the type that often bring in donors. As a whole, people enjoy the happy stories you usually share about chimpanzees thriving in your sanctuary setting. (And why not, no one spreads joy like CSNW caregivers!) But you can’t have one without the other, the dark side needs to come out of the shadows. And this has me remembering back when CSNW used have “Eyes On Apes”. EOA discussed chimpanzees being used/abused for entertainment and photo ops. It addressed all the topics you mentioned here and often linked us to petitions and letters to send to put a stop to it —how sad that a decade + later, we are still fighting for progress to be made in these areas. Yup, progress moves painfully slow. Maybe you would need to take a poll, but I for one would jump in with both feet to support this type of voice more often on your blog post. I would gladly have you direct me to petitions to sign, calls to make, etc, if it meant finally putting a stop to these dire situations. Chimpanzees, and primates, need a sane, experienced voice. Who better than all of you once in a while.
Pat F. says
Wonderful informative post. Every person , who professes to be an animal lover should read this. Thank you!
Jason says
No primate should ever be a pet. It’s disgusting. I understand, when the worst comes to worst, like if the mother abandons the child, that humans helping and raising a chimp until it’s ready to rejoin a troop, is fine, but owning a primate as a pet is vile.